Early Settlers

The district was settled about 1850, and the earliest names (apart from the pioneers, Kenneth Clarke, who grazed sheep on the Pentland Hills soon after arriving at Bacchus Marsh in 1836, and the aforementioned Mr Blow) were those of the two Scotchmen, McLachlan and McKay. The latter occupied the “Springfield” estate, later to become famous as a stud farm when owned by Mr. L. Dugdale (grandfather of Cr. L. G. Dugdale), who settled there in the 1870’s. McLachlan owned about 2300 acres of land east of the Myrniong Creek, which was by far the largest holding in the locality at that time.

The early settlers turned their attention to agriculture wheat being the main cereal grown; and to meet the requirements of the farmers, a John Thomas of “Oakfield” erected a flourmill, remains of which can still be seen on the 'Hillside' property of Mr. G. Shanahan. The flour gristed at this mill found a ready sale at Blackwood, a then thriving gold mining town of some 30,000 inhabitants. Rust appeared in the wheat fields in the early 60's and was one of the main factors causing the farmers to swing over to horse and cattle rasing and dairying. In 1877, a cheese factory was erected on the east bank of the creek by a Mr. Godrich Pierce which, in 1898 turned into a co-operative butter factory. In 1915 the Federal Milk Co., now Lifeguard Milk Products, purchased the building and completely remodelled it to a modern condensery. This was closed down in 1938 and from then to the present time the local milk is carted by motor truck to the company’s Bacchus Marsh factory.

Herds of shorthorn cattle were established by Messrs. L. Dugdale and R. Lidgett and descendants of both families still maintain their interests in the breed and have taken innumerable prizes at the Royal and district shows. Messrs. Myers Cowan and Meikle established Ayrshire herds, and the above five families, together with Messrs. Graham. Thompson and Shanahan Bros., bred many fine Clydesdales and also won a fair share of prizes at the various shows. Present day district farmers have established registered flocks of Southdown, Leicesters, Dorset Horns, etc., all of which are well to the fore at stock sales.

Rivalry amongst the breeders led to the establishment of the Bacchus Marsh and Ballan Pastoral Society with Mr. W. Stanfield as Secretary, the show being held at Myrniong. However, with the advent of the railway to Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh and, later, Ballan withdrew their support and formed A. & P. Societies of their own . Loss of this support caused the local show to close down in 1897, and the area used as a showground, after lying idle for several years, was gazetted a people’s park in 1903.